Situations exist. How we interpret situations determines our reaction to these situations. Our interpretation also determines our mood, and long-term, determines our beliefs.Learned helplessness refers to what happens when, after countless attempts, people come to believe that their work, strategies, techniques and efforts “get them nowhere, provide no positive payoff.”If a teacher comes to believe that a situation is hopeless, and the results of their work and effort are uncontrollable, a number of outcomes (all negative) are possible.